Baseball, both fantasy and real life, cruises into the last week of May. Trends are becoming clear, identifying players that are struggling with injuries and a downturn in performance. There are always several players on the waiver wire, but which ones can best help a manager rebuild their rosters into championship contenders? That is where this best fantasy baseball pickups week seven edition comes in. Come along and let’s dive right in!

Rich Hill, SP, Tampa Bay Rays, 44% Owned

A fantasy manager would do well to get to the wire right this minute and see if Rich Hill is available. There simply aren’t any pitchers that are throwing as well as Hill that are sitting on waivers. Hill has pitched at least six innings in four of his last five starts. He has given up just three earned runs in his last 27.2 Innings. The only issue that anyone could have with Hill is that he has walked seven in his last two starts. Other than that, though, Hill is pitching right now as well as any front line starter.

For the season, Hill is 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA and an outstanding 1.07 WHIP. The Rays are playing their best ball of the season and Hill is a major contributor. Take away the April 20 start against Kansas City in which he allowed four earned in just two innings and Hill would be owned in nearly 90 percent of leagues. He is pitching that well and as stated at the top, managers need to drop anything and everything and get to the wire immediately. Hill’s next start is Tuesday, but he will long gone by then. Act today.

Mauricio Dubon, OF, SS, 2B, S.F. Giants, 7.7% Owned

It can’t be stated any plainer- there aren’t any players swinging the bat as well as Mauricio Dubon that are as widely available on the wire right now. How many players in the majors had three two hit games last week? There aren’t many and Dubon is one of them. Everything the Giants have done this season is turning up roses, except for this past weekend against Los Angeles, and Dubon is the latest to bloom.

Dubon entered the weekend series with the rival Dodgers with hits in his last six games and 10 of 11. He also had scored a run in four straight games. In his last 48 at bats before Saturday, Dubon was hitting over .330 with two homers, five RBIs and six runs scored. Most importantly, he has been a regular in the Giants’ lineup. For the season, Dubon is hitting .250-2-12. The fact that he is eligible at short, second and the outfield can’t be stressed enough. Dubon is someone that can repair a hole in a roster wherever it might be. His availability will not stay this low for long. Get to the store quickly as this commodity will soon be off the shelf.

Spencer Turnbull, SP, Detroit Tigers, 21.6% Owned

How far would a no hitter help in recommending a starting pitcher for pickup off the waiver wire? That is exactly what Spencer Turnbull has on his resume after his no hit gem against the Mariners on Tuesday. Despite that, his ownership is still relatively low. If Hill is gone, Turnbull can certainly help a manager with pitching issues. For the season, Hills is 3-2 with an excellent 2.88 ERA a miniscule .961 WHIP.

In addition, Hill has 31 strikeouts in 34.1 innings pitched. He has also limited his walks to just three in his last three starts. Turnbull has provided his owners with 20 or more fantasy points in three of his last six starts. He lines up to pitch Monday against Cleveland. Maybe the Indians will be due to suffer a third no hitter of the season. Whatever the case, Turnbull is certainly worthy of being included on this best fantasy baseball pickups week seven edition.

Garrett Richards, SP, Boston Red Sox, 25.6% Owned

The Boston Red Sox were not expected to be a contender in the East Division, let alone the entire American League this season. Yet, that is exactly where they are and one of the big reasons for it is Garrett Richards, especially lately. Entering his start this week against Atlanta, Richards has pitched as well as anyone not throwing no hitters. In four of his last five starts, Richards has pitched into the sixth inning or later. Additionally, in only one of those starts did he allow more than two earned runs.

For the year, Richards is 4-2 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Over those five starts, though, his ERA lowers to 2.30. He has 43 strikeouts in 48.1 innings pitched on the season. Richards has walked seven hitters in his last two starts, which has elevated his WHIP. Aside from that small hiccup, Richards has been as solid as can be. If Hill or Turnbull are off the market, Richards is a nice fall back option. Pick him up if the roster needs a pitching upgrade.

Josh Fuentes, 1B/3B, Colorado Rockies, 26% Owned

The Padres kept Josh Fuentes off the bases on Thursday and that is the only time in the last week or so that anyone has cooled him off. Entering that game, Fuentes was on a seven game hitting streak. Not only that, but Fuentes has two or more hits in five of the games. In that stretch, Fuentes had two homers, 14 RBIs and six runs scored.

After the weekend, Fuentes added two more two hits games. That is now three two hit games in his last four starts. He had a .389 average and a .778 slugging percentage over the previous seven days. That, friends, is the definition of hot! For the season, Fuentes is hitting .269-4-25. The Rockies’ offense has been a huge disappointment so far in 2021, but that is certainly not the fault of Fuentes. Colorado figures to get their hitting straightened out, especially at home. Once that happens, Fuentes’ ownership percentage will shoot through the roof and that is why he is featured on this best fantasy baseball pickups edition.

Jonathan Villar, 2B/ SS/ 3B, New York Mets, 25.8% Owned

Jonathan Villar is one of those veteran players that the fantasy world has largely forgotten. Yet, he is featured here because few have the versatility that Villar does. Friday’s box score gives an indication of just how valuable he can be to the Mets and to fantasy managers alike. Villar did not have a hit in that game. However, he had a walk, a stolen base and scored a run. That performance was worth three fantasy points. Perhaps that is about as many points as a player can have without a base hit.

Villar is not hitting that well this season, but as the above makes clear, he provides value just the same. Not known for his power, Villar has two home runs in the last week. He plays all the infield positions except for first base, which gives him the versatility that few other players have. Villar also has hits in eight of his last 11 games. He plays every day and that gives him fantasy value. Any manager with infield issues would do well to give him a look over.

Carlos Martinez, SP, St. Louis Cardinals, 17.5% Owned

When last seen, Carlos Martinez was getting knocked around to the tune of five runs and five walks in just five innings against Colorado on May 8. He then went on the injured list with an ankle issue. That doesn’t exactly indicate a pitcher worth owning in fantasy, does it? However, Martinez made his return Friday against the Cubs. He couldn’t get Joc Pederson out but silenced the rest of the Cubs as he allowed two runs on four hits. Best of all, Martinez walked just one batter.

It certainly looks like Martinez is back on track. The three starts prior to Colorado show what kind of pitcher that Martinez can be. In 21.1 innings, he allowed just two earned runs on 11 hits. If an owner is looking for strikeouts, Martinez will not provide many as he has just 15 in his last five starts. Besides that, though, he checks all the boxes. For the season, Martinez is 3-4 with a 4.18 ERA and an excellent 1.12 WHIP. He lines up against Arizona in his next start and if he pitches well again, owners can forget picking Martinez up off the wire. He will certainly have vanished due to his addition on this best fantasy baseball pickups edition.

Luis Garcia, RP/ SP, Houston Astros, 15.9% Owned

For those fantasy managers that are in leagues that require relief pitchers on the roster, Luis Garcia is presented for approval. Garcia is a reliever turned into a starter by Houston and his last two starts have gone extremely well. In those games, Garcia has allowed three earned on eight hits while striking out 12 in ten innings. Most importantly, he won both starts, the first two victories of his major league career.

For the year, Garcia is 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP with 47 strikeouts in only 40 innings pitched. That last stat certainly indicates what kind of stuff Garcia has. He has also walked two in each of his last four starts and that is something he will have to get under control. However, there may not be many quality pitchers on the wire. With pickings spare, Garcia fits the bill for any fantasy manager. If pitching is needed, add him today before the shelves are completely bare.

Willie Calhoun, OF/DH, Texas Rangers, 21.4% Owned

It is almost a joke to discuss the Texas Rangers’ hitters as they have been no hit twice this season. However, Willy Calhoun is no laughing matter. Calhoun can swing the bat well as evidenced by his having hits in five of his last seven games. He makes consistent contact with only seven strikeouts in his last 14 games. For the season, Calhoun is hitting .263-5-11 with 14 runs scored.

The best news when it comes to Calhoun is that he is now outfield eligible in ESPN leagues. He previously was only DH eligible, which severely limits his availability in fantasy. However, that concern is now out the window and anyone having outfield issues would do well to check out Calhoun while he is still on the wire. He is a player that can be counted on to be in the lineup on a daily basis. Give Calhoun a look see today.

Kolton Wong, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers, 37.3% Owned

Name a major league player that had three hits in a game three times last week. Would it be surprising to learn that Kolton Wong qualifies? He certainly does as Wong comes into the new week as hot as any major leaguer. There was some concern as Wong was hit by a pitch Friday and missed Saturday’s game. There are no worries, however, as he was back in the lineup Sunday and delivered his customary three hits. That is now six games with at least two hits in his last 13 for Wong. That is the very definition of hot, no?

For the season, Wong is hitting .280-2-8 with 19 runs scored. He has 10 doubles on the year and his .355 OBP is very good. In the last seven games, Wong has done it all, going 11 for 29 with three doubles, two walks, a steal and seven runs scored. His ownership percentage is sure to move off the charts. Any manager with questions at second base would be wise to act today and add Wong to their roster.

Other Players Worth a Look:

Garrett Cooper, 1B/OF, Miami Marlins, Casey Mize, SP, Detroit Tigers, Ahmed Rosario, SS/OF Cleveland Indians, Nico Hoerner, 2B/SS/OF, Chicago Cubs

Thanks all for joining me for this best fantasy baseball pickups week seven edition! As always, I welcome suggestions from all my readers. Have other players to include? Disagree with the selections? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest MLB and sports news!

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